Phoenix Indian Center raises money at Silver & Turquoise Ball, Gov. Lewis serves as committee chair

Roberto A. Jackson
Gila River Indian News

It was a pretty good night for the oldest non-profit organization in America of its kind. The Phoenix Indian Center raised over $300,000 at the 36th Annual Silver & Turquoise Ball held in Scottsdale on April 6. 

“That money directly goes back into our services, our programs, our staff,” said Bree Marshall, Events Coordinator for the Phoenix Indian Center. With 507 in attendance, the Phoenix Indian Center surpassed their fundraising goal and added a little elegance in the process. 

“We definitely like to step it up as far as the appearance is concerned,” said Marshall. 

The ball is a semi-formal affair with entertainment, awards, auctions for unique prizes, artwork and travel packages that brings out Arizona’s tribal leaders and organizations. 

Among those leaders was Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis who was Honorary Chair of the Silver & Turquoise Ball Executive Committee with Cheryl Stevens and Ernest L. Stevens Jr., National Indian Gaming Association chairman.

“The Phoenix Indian Center is important and the impact to its customers is a direct result from people like all of you here. Your generous support and financial contributions have sustained an organization that has a legacy of helping build a better community by provided culturally relevant services and programs in four core areas: job preparedness, prevention services, cultural enrichment and youth programming,” Gov. Lewis said to the audience in his remarks. Also, representing the Gila River Indian Community in the ball’s program was Lt. Gov. Robert Stone who delivered the evening’s blessing. 

Brooke Simpson, Haliwa-Saponi tribal member, who appeared on NBC’s “The Voice,” won the Leon Grant Spirit of the Community Award, named after the late Mr. Grant who was the first Executive Director of the Phoenix Indian Center. Simpson also performed with a live band.

Although the date for the 37th Annual Silver & Turquoise Ball has not been set, it will most likely revisit this year’s location, the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, according to Marshall.